Gary Stewart - Greatest Hits
In this week's episode we're featuring an excellent introduction to the music of Gary Stewart: "Greatest Hits" (1981). Born the son of a mining man in Kentucky but calling Fort Pierce, Florida home from the age of 12, Gary Stewart was playing music around the area as a teenager. After catching part of his performance locally, Mel Tillis (also from the area) suggested Stewart go to Nashville to work on his songwriting craft and work his way up from there. And he did. Starting in the mid 60s several back and forth trips to Music City, many with buddy and songwriting partner Bill Eldridge, resulted in some attention and gradually their songs started finding the right ears. Hit cuts were recorded by Nat Stuckey and Billy Walker (amongst others) and after brief recording stints themselves and plenty of discouragement, Gary Stewart eventually got signed to RCA. A re-release of "Drinkin' Thing" scored his first Top 10 and the ball was rolling. Somewhat pigeonholed during his time at RCA, it was songs of drinking, divorce and cheating which made up the majority of Gary Stewart's hit list. Chart success notwithstanding however, it was his emotive vibrato and unique mix of country and southern rock which remains a favourite with fans of country music delivered with feeling.